Jesus' foreknowledge and promise

Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. (Matthew 26:31-32) **Sermon Summary:** The sermon centers on the profound truth of Christ's sovereign love and unwavering faithfulness, even in the face of betrayal, suffering, and abandonment. Drawing from Matthew 26:31–32, it emphasizes Jesus' foreknowledge of His disciples' failure and His promise to go before them into Galilee after His resurrection, underscoring God's faithful leadership and the permanence of His covenant. The preacher highlights the theological significance of Christ's sacrificial death as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, particularly the imagery of the smitten shepherd and scattered sheep, while affirming that Christ's intercession and prayer for His followers—especially Peter—ensure their restoration and perseverance. Through references to Zechariah, Isaiah, and the high priestly prayer in John 17, the message affirms that God's grace is sufficient, His promises are sure, and His people, though weak and prone to fall, are never abandoned, for He continues to work in them, refining them like gold and securing their eternal hope.